MMDA warns public of heavier traffic due to closure of Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge

The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) warned the public of heavier traffic in Mandaluyong and Makati since the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will start repairs at the Estrella – Pantaleon Bridge, also known as Rockwell Bridge.

The bridge connects Estrella Street in Makati City and Barangka Drive in Mandaluyong City.

According to MMDA General Manager Jose Arturo ‘Jojo’ Garcia, the bridge will be closed starting 8:00AM, Sunday, September 23 due to the repairs that will last for a period of 30 months.

Garcia explained that the bridge, which currently has two lanes, will be demolished and replaced with a new bridge that will have four lanes.

The MMDA official added that bridge repairs would further worsen the traffic congestion in the Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) as thousands of vehicles going in and out of Makati and Mandaluyong will be diverted to Guadalupe Bridge.

“An average of 100,000 vehicles traverses the bridge on a daily basis. We are talking about 5,000 vehicles per hour here,” Garcia said.

“Please bear with us. This is just one project under the government’s effort to address traffic in Metro Manila,” Garcia added.

Aside from the Estrella – Pantaleon Bridge, the DPWH are also conducting repairs at the on Old Sta. Mesa Bridge, Nagtahan Bridge, Mabini Bridge, Concordia Bridge, Otis Bridge, and Sevilla Bridge.